Microsoft is offering a free data transfer cable, to consumers that have bought an xbox 360 Elite. Microsoft stated the reasoning behind not providing the transfer cable in the box, is due to the fact they geared the system around new owners. Not upgrading owners, but after a flood of complaints Microsoft decided to ship out transfer cables for a limited time to Elite owners, that have a core system, or premium systems, already.
You will have to fill out this form and, return it via postage mail to Indiana for a transfer cable. The turn around time for receiving the cable is unknown at the moment.
Another problem with transferring your files from your 20 gig hdd, over to your new 120 gig hdd, is the fact that it wipes out everything on your 20 gig. So having a backup of your data "incase" something happens is not possible. Also your XBL arcade games, and digital media will be effected. XBLA games revert to demo mode once transfered. Also if you do not have a connection to the internet to verify your content to the identity of your 360, it will be rendered useless. This happenes anytime you try to access your games, and media. So using, or watching offline is impossible. Microsoft took no chances with piracy regarding its downloadable content.
On Thursday, May 3, at 9 a.m. GMT, Xbox LIVE® gamers should ready their weapons and prepare for battle as “Gears of War®”, rated M for Mature, releases four new action-packed multiplayer maps in the thrilling “Hidden Fronts” Multiplayer Map Pack. For 800 Microsoft points, COG soldiers and the Locust Horde will clash once again for control of these four dynamic new areas, including Bullet Marsh, Garden, Process and Subway.
Bullet Marsh: In this Kryll-infested swamp, an old generator still powers the area lights. A few stray bullets could easily knock out the generator, leaving combatants to fend for themselves against the Kryll.
Garden: This overgrown and crumbling conservatory still has a working fertilization and pesticide system. This system can pose a serious hazard to anyone who ventures into the greenhouse without first venting the air.
Process: Teams must fight for control of this subterranean Imulsion processing plant, still active despite the cessation of the Pendulum wars.
Subway: Timgad’s Central Subway station used to serve as a central hub for commuters. Now the tunnels are crawling with Locust.
The “Hidden Fronts” Multiplayer Map Pack will explode onto Xbox LIVE Marketplace on May 3 for 800 Microsoft Points as gamers steady their aim, pull the pin from their grenades and get ready to battle once more! All four of the new maps will be made available at no cost over Xbox LIVE on Sept. 3, 2007.
Today Ea has announced the latest title to their burnout collection, BURNOUT PARADISE.
Burnout Paradise proves that crashing is awesome! Next generation technology has enabled an unprecedented level of crash deformation allowing you to experience the most explosive pile-ups in the series’ history. Now the development team can realize their original vision for the Burnout franchise: an open world environment where you can do anything, anywhere, anytime!
“We have been working towards Burnout Paradise for quite some time. Next generation consoles have opened up a raft of new gameplay opportunities and the Criterion team has leapt at the chance to innovate and raise the bar to an all-new high,” said Pete Hawley, Executive Producer, Burnout Paradise. “There are going to be some big surprises and a lot of new features but the core of the game is still pure Burnout. Instant accessibility will be reinforced by innovative on-line capabilities which will see Burnout Paradise smash racing conventions.’’
Click the read more link for more images and info..
“Catan” from Big Huge Games is the Xbox LIVE Arcade edition of the legendary multiplayer board game Settlers of Catan. With over 10 million units sold, Settlers of Catan is one of the most popular board games to hail from Europe, and has been translated into twenty-five languages from the original German.
“Catan” for Xbox LIVE Arcade puts players in the role of colonists on a newly discovered island, where they vie for control of valuable territory and resources through strategy and trading. The game can be learned in just minutes, but will challenge players of all skill levels, even the experts!
Klaus Teuber, creator of the original Settlers of Catan board game, had this to say about the collaboration with Big Huge Games: "I had no doubts that Brian Reynolds would do a great job, and the first version of the game exceeded my highest expectations. The AI is so clever that I even lost several games in a row! Hands down, this game for the Xbox LIVE Arcade is an amazing achievement."
“Catan” will be available worldwide for 800 Microsoft Points and is rated E for Everyone.
Game Features
* Learn As You Play tutorial, making the game instantly accessible even to players who have never played “Settlers of Catan” before
* All New 3D "Living World" Board
* Play against any combination of 13 historical personalities such as Alexander, Cleopatra and Tokugawa, which provide a range of play styles and difficulty levels that will test players’ wits and strategy
* Fans of the board game will enjoy the inclusion of popular house rules like Friendly Robber and Friendly Resources
* Multiplayer gameplay over Xbox LIVE for up to 4 players
* The ability to taunt opponents with engaging animations and use emotes to compliment (or belittle!) the opposition over Xbox LIVE
* Voice Chat enabled
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points
“Centipede” and “Millipede”
Two of Atari’s best loved coin-op classics, “Centipede” and “Millipede,” will be available for download on Xbox LIVE Arcade for Xbox 360 beginning Wednesday, May 2 at 0900 GMT (2:00 a.m. Pacific).
The classic version of “Centipede” challenges gamers to defend their villages against an onslaught of centipedes, spiders, army ants and more. Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers will also have access to an “Evolved” version which features pre-rendered, high definition graphics, special effects like motion blur, trails and particle-based explosions that make this classic as enjoyable today as it was in the arcade decades ago.
In “Millipede,” the primary challenge is to obliterate chains of arthropods that creep down from the top of the screen. Scattered mushrooms are the gamers’ main tool to shoot, destroy and redirect the menacing millipedes. “Millipede” also offers up Xbox LIVE Arcade gamers an “Evolved” version of this coin-op classic.
“Centipede” and “Millipede” will be available worldwide as a joint download for 400 Microsoft Points and are rated E for Everyone.
Game Features
Two games in one! Enjoy both classic and evolved versions of both “Centipede” and “Millipede”
Dolby Digital surround sound
* Earn up to 12 Achievements and 200 Gamerscore points
CHAIR ENTERTAINMENT ANNOUNCES “UNDERTOW” FOR XBOX LIVE® ARCADE
-- Underwater Action-Shooter Offers 16-player Online Combat; Exclusive Trailer Provides Early Game Play Preview --
Provo, Utah – April 23, 2007 – Chair Entertainment Group, an independent video game production company, today announced its newest original property, Undertow, is currently in development for Xbox LIVE® Arcade, the premier destination for digitally distributed, downloadable games. Expected to go live worldwide this summer, Undertow is powered by the Unreal Engine 3 and offers an unprecedented 16-player online experience for Xbox LIVE Arcade.
“We’ve really enjoyed designing Undertow for Xbox LIVE Arcade because it’s given us the freedom to create a pure gaming experience focused on fun, addictive game play” said Donald Mustard, creative director at Chair Entertainment. “Whether a player is looking for hours of intense multiplayer or they have just 10 minutes for the ultimate gaming experience, we’re confident Undertow will be as exciting to play as it has been for us to create.”
The fast-paced action of Undertow features two multiplayer modes for up to 16 players, and a robust 15-level single player and co-op campaign. Players navigate the stormy seas as one of four unique, upgradeable unit types ranging in ability from the fast and agile to the large and powerful. Players then earn points for adding upgrades by killing enemies, completing objectives, and taking checkpoints. The non-stop conquest-style battles of Undertow push the envelope of on-screen effects and combat action with stunning graphics and special effects.
To coincide with the announcement, Chair Entertainment today released a 30 second game play trailer which provides an early look at the game in action. The trailer can be viewed right here on 360-hq in our media area.
This week brought us a new release of XNA Game Studio Express and now some great new content for http://creators.xna.com. You'll find a list of the new additions below. Once you've found what you like, head over to the website and check it out!
Racing Game (Starter Kit)
It's finally here! This starter kit provides a complete XNA Game Studio Express game, including source code and game content such as models, textures, and sounds.
Racing Game is a 3D auto racing game that features advanced graphics, audio, and input processing. Race around the track and try to beat the ghost car to achieve the best time.
New Samples
- Bloom: This sample shows how to use bloom post-processing filters to add a glow effect over the top of an existing scene.
- Render 2D Lines and Points: This sample shows how to extend the Spacewar VectorShape code to create PrimitiveBatch, which can be used to easily draw points, lines, and triangles on the screen.
- Game State Management: This sample shows how to manage the transitions between different menus and gameplay states.
- 3D Audio: This sample shows how to position sounds in 3D space, implementing panning, Doppler, and distance attenuation effects.
- Particles 2D: This sample introduces the concept of a particle system, and shows how to draw particle effects by using SpriteBatch. Two particle effects are demonstrated: an explosion and a rising plume of smoke.
- Shader Series 1: Vertex Shaders: This sample shows one of the most basic uses of shader effects - vertex lighting.
Articles
- Data Structure Article
- Shader Series Introduction article
- Shader Series supplemental article - FFP to Programmable
- Shader Series supplemental article - Coordinate Systems
Tutorials
- Advanced Audio Series Tutorial #1
- Advanced Audio Series Tutorial #2
- All tutorial videos are now available for downloading and viewing offline.
Utilities
- Bitmap Font Maker Utility: This utility converts Windows TrueType fonts into .bmp files that can be imported using the XNA Framework Content Pipeline. This allows you to modify the rendered font .bmp file before loading it into your game, and to add effects such as drop shadows and embossing to your fonts.
- Controller Graphics: This utility is a set of Xbox 360 Controller and controller button graphics that you can use in your game.
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